Felony Friendly Jobs in Rochester, NY
Rochester is a mid-sized upstate New York city with a strong healthcare sector, legacy optics and manufacturing industries, and a growing food processing base. Wegmans, one of the most respected grocery chains, is headquartered here. New York State's ban-the-box law and Article 23-A provide strong protections for job seekers with records. The cost of living is very affordable by New York State standards, and the $15.50/hr upstate minimum wage makes entry-level positions livable.
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Top Employers in Rochester That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Rochester, NY and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
Best Industries in Rochester for People With Records
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Optics & photonics
- ✓Food processing
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Education
Staffing Agencies in Rochester That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Rochester metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Express Employment Professionals
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Staffmark
New York Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
New York State has Article 23-A and a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers with 15+ employees (effective 2020). Rochester follows the state law.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
New York State prohibits employers with 15+ employees from asking about criminal history on job applications. Article 23-A requires individualized assessment. Rochester employers must follow all state protections.
Minimum Wage
$15.50/hr (New York State minimum for upstate — effective 2026)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Rochester
- 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
- 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
- 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
- 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
- 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
- 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.
Reentry Employment Programs in Rochester
- RochesterWorks!
- Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — Rochester
- PathStone
- Monroe County Reentry Task Force
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Rochester?
- Rochester offers opportunities in healthcare support, manufacturing, food processing, warehouse and logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), and retail (Walmart, Wegmans, Target). The food processing industry is a growing employer.
- Does Rochester have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. New York State's ban-the-box law applies to private employers with 15+ employees. Article 23-A requires individualized assessment. Rochester employers must follow all state protections.
- What staffing agencies in Rochester hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Rochester include Manpower, Express Employment Professionals, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Staffmark. Manufacturing and food processing placements are common.
- What is the minimum wage in Rochester?
- Rochester follows New York State's upstate minimum wage of $15.50 per hour. Many manufacturing and warehouse jobs start above minimum wage.
Related Resources
More resources
- HousingSecond chance apartments in Rochester, NY→
- ExpungementExpungement in New York→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →